Vacation Is Upon Us? Hard to Tell.

Ah yes, vacation is upon us.  Well, at least for teachers and students and the such...unless you have children, than it's really just like changing professions for a few months.  From parent/worker to PARENT. In reality, if you have ever wanted to know how many times someone can say your name in one day..."Dad, Dad, Dad..." than spend a rainy day at home with your kiddos.  It can be a fun game to play..."How many times will my children say (Mom or Dad) in the next hour?"  Let the good times roll!  Furthermore, on vacations such as this one, where we are getting rainy day after rainy day here in New England, it's hard to say who gets more frustrated with each other...me with the kids...or the kids with me.  But, that's love.

In all reality, this has been an interesting vacation so far.  Once school ended I was able to go on a nice four day vacation with my wife to Bar Harbor...just the two of us.  It is always strange when you go somewhere without the kids.  At dinner you feel odd eating in silence, you don't have to pick up as many spills or messes, and you don't have to apologize to the waitress for your son calling her "a butthole."  When we walked through the streets of Bar Harbor (I realize when I write it like that it sounds like the "MEAN STREETS" of Bar Harbor...which couldn't be farther from the truth) however, when we walk along the road we can freely walk into any store, or establishment, and not have to worry about a stroller fitting in the aisles, being bugged to "buy something", having to pick up children and put them down on a whim, and we almost never have to apologize to a stranger for asking an extremely inappropriate question...like the time my son saw a man with an eye patch and said, "Hey, are you a pirate?"  Or when my kids, both have at one point or another, point out (very loudly I might add) that a person is...shall we say...Gerthy.  That's a proud parental moment. Regardless, my lovely wife and I *almost* felt guilty shopping, chatting, walking, eating and resting...almost.

While we were there we had several great experiences and some very interesting sights, sounds and actions that we took part in.  First, mini golf.  We love it. We are competitive.  My wife trash talked me on Facebook prior us leaving; however, I will say that my record while we were down there this time was 3-0-1..that is 3 wins, no losses and 1 tie. However, golf etiquette is something that not many people have, I have come to realize.  Just like the one person that is always driving slowly in the right lane, there is always someone who is playing incredibly slowly...a group of...let's say 9 (when it clearly says no more than 5 in a group) of several young teenagers and their parents.  It really doesn't help when one of these people is the most uncoordinated individuals I have ever seen.  I mean, golfers are typically not accused of being Overly Athletic very often, however; it was difficult to watch...and when me and Julie could finish one hole in 45 seconds, and it took than 5 minutes...we had plenty of time to watch. I could have written my dissertation on, "How watching sad, pathetic golfing can cause sadness, despair, anxiety and depression in those that view from a short distance."  Regardless, mini-golf is a lot of fun and I was victorious...often.

Another one of our favorite passtimes when we are in Bar Harbor is to walk the Shore Path, that is 1.1 miles along the immediate, rocky coast of Bar Harbor.  It has scenic views of the water, Porquipine Islands on the left, and the 40 + room "Cottages" on your right.  You also get to do a great deal of people watching when you walk along the shore path.  We were able to see the young couple with 3...count em...3 young girls. I would say they were all under the age of 4.  I really think two of them were twins...maybe 10-12 months old.  All screaming, the parents looking as calm and collected as two sleep deprived, dehydrated, stressed out individuals could look.  You have my sympathies. You do.

During this walk I also saw one of the saddest, yet most appropriate and oddly sweet things I have ever seen.  As we slowly, confidently and leisurely walked along the path after our delicious breakfast (Julie eating Banana/Creme Brule Pancakes, and me with a Lobster/Aged Cheddar Omelet...yes, I was off my diet and exercise program for the 4 days...go me...and the 5 pounds I gained in 4 days.), we came across a woman, quite lovely, taking what I would consider to be her morning run.  She has the full get-up of exercise shirt, yoga pants, running shoes, sunglasses and ipod attached to her left arm.  She had the grace of a runner and the strides of someone confident in their abilities...she had not a care in the world.  Behind her....about 20 yards or so, was her husband.  On his feet were a pair of New Balance shoes so new I think they still had the brown paper on the inside of them.  Instead of yoga pants, he had on a pair of Khaki shorts with a beautiful woven belt and on his torso...you guessed it....a polo shirt...and not even one of the polo's with a breathable material...this baby was 100% cotton.  Think of a nice, American Eagle, thick bodied polo shirt...this guy was sporting it.  Unfortunately for him, he didn't pick a dark enough color, for his moobie sweat was soaking through his shirt.  And unlike his wife's inaudible breaths...the calm and powerful lungs that a runner possesses...he was gasping for air like a child does when they first learn to swim and they try to dive all the way to the bottom of the pool and swim from one end of the in ground pool to the other....you all know the feeling, and more importantly, the sound that that situation creates.  He also had no ipod. I don't think he would have heard it over the sound of his own breathing, or his thoughts of how much he hated his life at that particular moment.  However, I'm sure he was doing it to try to what he could to share more time with his wife...to find a common ground...something they could both enjoy together.  For that, I have respect and admiration. We've all been there buddy.  For me, it's shopping...for him...it's running.

Our trip was great.  It's always nice to have a few moments away from the kids, to have time for your spouse and you to reconnect, relax, and recharge. That is a tip for all fathers and husbands.  I don't have much advice in that department, very often at least, but that is something I feel very confident in sharing and advising. 

The rest of my vacation is still to be had.  However, I leave tomorrow for a fun filled education conference in the great Washington DC.  It's always nice to get down to DC...with it's extreme heat, humidity and busy streets...the history is amazing and beautiful.  However, conferences...they are hit or miss.  I have high hopes.  Anyway, it is nice to be back home for now...time to spend with the kids...playing every sport possible, talking about Angry Birds, watching cartoons, letting them eat junk food, staying up too late and hugging, kissing and cuddling on the couch. 

Summer vacation.  I like it.

Julie and I at the Mini-Golf course.

Julie after her first hole-in-one.

Dad...AKA "Buckwheat".

Ahhhhh...the weekend. A time to rest, relax, kick back and...well, in all honesty I couldn't lie any longer without feeling dirty or busting out laughing. Although the weekends are a break from the monetary and stress of the work week; it comes with it's own quirks and ...well in my case, as with many of you out there...children. AKA "The Wildcard".  Children are no less predictable than a Charlie Huff knuckleball (look him up if you need to), the weather in Maine, or the difference between what you order at a McDonald's drive thru and what you actually get in your bag when you drive off. This weekend was, of course, no exception.  In between the nine...yes...I counted...nine loads of laundry that I folded and put away and the countless dishes washed (we somehow manage to dirty like 4 plates per day...but like, 38 pieces of silverware and 22 coffee mugs), I managed to have my fair share of weird, semi-aggravating, confusing, hilarious moments with my two lovely kids this weekend...who are now 3 and 6 respectively.

My daughter, ever the lady, is pretty good at keeping herself entertained. Whether she is playing on her Kindle Fire, drawing pictures, writing words, or using her imagination to create an Angry Birds world in our toy room that would make Tim Burton jealous, she is a pretty great, smart, intelligent and funny kiddo.  However, lately, and I don't know if I should blame school, her mother, me or...tv...?  But, she has been getting sassy lately...and I mean, teenage sassy.  Today she said, "Dad, can  you get me a drink."  I responded with, "Ry, you know where the Capri Suns are...they are in the office, go help yourself sweetie."  To which she came back with, "But you're my dad, isn't that your job?"  She was not kidding. She didn't even look up from her Kindle. In that instant I saw myself in about 10-12 years...it was scary. Like, wake up in the middle of the night...cold, flop sweat kind of scary. However, she is really a good, responsible girl...for the most part. I will remind myself that I said that when she is 16 or so.

Rivers on the other hand...I'm not really sure how to explain our relationship. I love him...he, within one minute, loves, detests, tolerates, ignores, needs, seeks, shadows, hates, admires and pities me. Not that I necessarily blame him. While Rylee proved herself to be sweet (most of the time) Rivers has become a sidekick of sorts. The go-to laugh factory. He spent most of his time walking through the house kicking things saying, "I'm Grumpy."...driving his Power Wheel 4-wheeler (Spiderman Edition) into everything in the house, mostly on purpose.  He has gotten to a point where the animals in the house have begun to hide at the first sound of the 2 horsepower engine firing up.  If that wasn't enough, he has decided to bestow upon me a nickname. While he decided to bypass such great names as, "Dad", "Daddy", "Cool Dude", "Sweet Sassy Molassie" and "Grampa Joe"...he has gone straight to..."Buckwheat". Yes, my 3 year old son has decided to call his father...Buckwheat. As in, "Hey Rivers, time to brush your teeth."..."Ok, Buckwheat." I do love my son...and even though the nickname is something I wish he'd forget...It definitely makes him a character. That makes me a proud Buckwheat.

On a last note, this weekend I said goodbye to the Spruce Mountain High School - South Campus class of 2013. Graduation was interesting...not that I expected anything different. They were/are a unique group that I have grown very fond of in the last four years. I have traveled to England, France, Ireland, Wales, and New York City with them...I have had them in numerous classes and had tons of talks with them...honest, sincere, stern, heartwarming, goofy, hilarious and deep talks. I will miss them tremendously. Don't get me wrong, at times they drove me crazy...I'm sure they think the same about me.  However, that is the true hallmark of a close-knit group...a family. When you have disagreements, but still admire and respect each other...it's a glorious thing.

To the class of 2013...my advice is in honor of my daughter Rylee and her kindergarten class.  They have Bee's that are color coded.  Green is good, orange is not so good and Red is bad.  I have my own list of "Be's" for you in the future... Be good. Be safe. Be brave. Be yourselves. Be atypical. Be kind. Be sincere. Be loving. Be open to other cultures. Be silly. Be there for each other. Be healthy. Be generous with your time, talents, patience, and grace. Be good to your parents, siblings, family and friends. Be afraid...but let the fear push you harder. Be creative. Be forever from a small town. Be gracious in defeat and success. Be willing to listen to others...sometimes thats all someone needs to get them through the day.  Be humble but be willing to share your talents. Be always in touch. Be an adult...but always be a child...and above all else...be happy...always be happy. I will miss you all. I will always be there for you...I hope you all know that.

Buckwheat. Out.

Ahhhh...The Weekend

The weekend...a time to relax, sleep in, frolic in a field of daisies, make tin foil boats and float them in the sink...wait, it has clearly been a relatively long weekend and I have forgotten what some others do on weekends. It was certainly an interesting weekend with all of the vomiting and diarrhea cleaning and sheet washing...and man-nannying...or man-maiding around the house.  However, weekends like this always give a fond perspective and heartfelt sense of appreciation for stay at home moms and dads.  All of this was precipitated by the fact that my two year old son Rivers decided that today was a good day to go full blown child maniac...the kind that makes Charlie Sheen say..."watch out for that kid...he's out there."  He was having one of those days where he would turn off the TV, look at you and give you the look of, "There. Your move dad." And then crap his pants, eat a chocolate, wipe his hands on the couch and knock your phone off the coffee table before going into the toy room and...I can only imagine this next part...laugh maniacally.  Although some of that may have been a fabrication...it seems remarkably real.

As my trip is now 4 days away...well almost three now that it is approaching the midnight hour, I realized that packing takes away much of the very few manly qualities that I currently have.  The weather in France and England is typically unpredictable in that you can always predict that it will be...well unpredictable. So trying on a dozen pairs of pants and umpteen sweaters of varying thickness and material is an interesting feeling...although it could have been a moment of reflection, solitude and time to ponder how majestic my trip will be...how glorious the Mona Lisa will look and how the smell of the varnish on those masterful Renaissance era paintings will be, how breathtaking the Palace of Versailles would be and it's history and the treaty signed there, the powerful leaders that took solace in that place, the Beaches of Normandy and the brave men that sacrificed their lives to bring freedom to all and to end the tyranny and sorrow of the Holocaust, how the fish and chips will taste, how gorgeous the London sky will be atop the London Eye...I instead had to remind my son not to zip himself into the suitcase...not to get hurt while trying to break dance on the floor and being bombarded by requests from my son to put on Sesame Street upstairs and from my daughter to put on Spongebob downstairs, to plug in her Kindle Fire and to fill up her cup with more Gatorade.  Luckily my lovely wife was there to help with some of the maid-esque duties required to take care of the two only members of royalty in our family...however, she didn't get home until 5...she works hard.  Her pedometer always reminds me of that. Although I justify her massive number of steps beyond what I take in a day due to her shorter legs...again, that is my justification to myself. 

On another note I did find some interesting information during this weekend like, there is a show on the National Geographic Channel called Diggers...it is about two guys (from Montana...and since they are the only two guys from Montana I have ever heard of I now think all Montanaians are weird) and they use their metal detectors to find glorious, "nectar" the word they use for a huge score in the ground of cash and prizes.  However, I also realized that everything they find is worth like $3. So, either they were never taught what money is, or Montana has it's own currency and the conversion is like $1 = $400,000 Montana Bucks. Unless that is a fact, I don't get it. And I didn't get it through the like...12 episodes that I watched. Wait...anyway, I have never found two people more excited to unearth pennies, belt buckles, old bullets and a horse shoe.  I can't wait for the next time I find a dime in the street, in my classroom or on the streets of Paris...watch out, I'll be jumping, pumping fists and dancing as if I was the third member of the band WHAM! circa 1985....or like Cousin Carlton on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air...circa 1995. Regardless, I guess what I'm saying is...well watch the show. You'll love it. I only really endorse things as often as Ron Swanson...if you didn't get that joke...watch Parks and Recreation. You will thank me.

Anyhow, I suppose it is time for bed. The morning will be here soon and it will be time to go to work and teach like it's my job. Oh, and I have an eye appointment tomorrow to get my new specs...I think with my glasses on more often, my love of cardigans and my salt and pepper hair I will look like an old Frenchmen in no time...I'll fit right in at a cafe...sitting alone...reading the paper and people watching.

Sickness, Weekends and Travel

 So this weekend is definitely one of the most interesting, busiest and quite frankly grossest weekends I have had in recent memory.  However, it does reaffirm the fact that I love my children in that, nothing will test a parents love for their children like a good bout of the flu in the  middle of the night.  Friday night seemed to go off without a hitch; children to bed at a "decent" time, relaxing and a little mindless TV to end a long and intense week of work. However, going to bed at 11:30 or 12 suddenly seems like a bad idea when your daughter comes into your room at 2:49 am (Yes, I checked my phone to see the time) to tell you that, "someone threw up in her bed." After a rather long conversation between my wife, Julie, and I regarding..."did Rivers sleep in her bed?  Did you check the bed to see if anyone threw up in it last night?" We quickly realized that Rylee had thrown up in her bed and either didn't realize that she had, or was worried that we would be upset and tried to lie about it. She is just too sweet...she didn't want to let us down or have us see her as being inconvenient.  So, my wife stripped the sheets and I changed the little girl that was clearly not feeling well. Julie had to get up early so she slept on the couch and me and the kids were in our bed. All was good in the world again...than 30 minutes later came. So did the vomit. On my pillow. I jumped out of bed at a speed that would make Usain Bolt jealous and grabbed the trash can from the downstairs bathroom...because apparently the upstairs one would have been too easy to find. After cleaning up our daughter again, cleaning up the bed and changing the pillow I let our daughter watch cartoons in bed and I grabbed a small child's princess sleeping blanket and a pillow and slept on the carpet in our room...and by "slept" I mean laid there for 4 hours and listened for our daughters gagging and would guide her to either the trash can or the bathroom. Oh, I didn't mention that it seems that my rotator cuff is torn in my left shoulder (awaiting MRI still) and laying on the floor was not a good idea...my arm is still in agonizing pain and falls asleep often. Regardless, my little princess has been in bed all day in between getting sick and taking full advantage of Daddy the Maid...however; when you see how cute they are (see pictures below) you can see why I am perfectly happy to wait on her hand and foot.


On another note, I now have only 5 days until I leave for my big 12 day trip to Europe.  Feeling pretty excited, yet always is a bittersweet feeling to be leaving my wife and kids for an extended period of time and this will be the longest trip I have ever taken.  Two years ago I went to Ireland and England for 9 days and it seemed like forever; however, this time it will be 12 days to France and England. Aside from missing the family I will say I am looking forward to the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Europe.  France is going to be amazing; aside from the fact that the only things I can say in French translate to "toilet", "hello", "good-bye", "pig", "butt crack" ...oh and "yes" and "no". There are very few sentences I can put together with those words that wouldn't lead to me in the bathroom or hiring a plumber. However, going to see the beautiful palace of Versailles, and walking in the Hall of Mirrors is going to be awe-inspiring and seeing the Eiffel Tower will be surreal.  However, seeing the beaches of Normandy is going to be a chance of a lifetime.  I also suppose seeing the Mona Lisa in the Louvre in Paris will be an a-ok experience.  That Leonardo Da Vinci is quite good...one day he will be as talented as Leonardo DeCaprio. Every time I see Titanic I cry. "Don't let go Jack."

So after spending 4 days in Paris, we go to Normandy and St. Malo...lots of beautiful castles, churches and cafe's galore...we go to England. I have to say I am excited to go back. I speak the language...relatively well anyway, and we get to see Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, Canterbury, Windsor and take a ride up the London Eye...oh and we also get to take a Harry Potter tour (seeing where filming took place, etc).  The chance to revisit these places is something I never thought that I would do...so I am beyond ecstatic!

Oh, but because of this trip I should probably start packing, planning and making lists...checking them twice...to make sure I am ready for this trip. Packing for 12 days is not an easy feat I have decided. Two weeks worth of socks, undies, t-shirts and all of the clothes that accompany it is going to be daunting.  Not to mention the weather is a little unpredictable and makes it difficult to plan for...sweaters (of course)...hats? Coats? Gloves? Scarves? Umbrella? No idea. Not to mention all of the electronics required...phone, ipods, camera and all of the chargers...oh and the currency converter. With all of this in mind, it is time to get packing...or at least making a list. Or, if my son has his way...first we should play basketball.

Initial Thoughts...Vacation Edition

So, after a short time contemplating the idea of creating a new blog, I have to say that I am glad to be starting a new one.  I hope it will satisfy my desire to tell stories, reflect and to ramble and let others listen if they are so inclined to do so.  I also have to say that after looking back at my first and only other blogging eperience, my blog in regard to my trip to New York City with the Maine Humanities Council in April of 2012 (http://natesblogofawesomeness.blogspot.com) I was stricken with the urge to create another one.  I decided that the only things that I am good at, the only things that I feel that I can contribute to or have commentary of, is being a dad, a father and a teacher.  These are three things that give me a tremendous amount of happiness and really provide a great experience and some comical moments.  Also, the fact that I am on vacation has given me the opportunity to realize that blogging is actually fun and if nobody wants to read it, thats fine!

So the last few days of February break have been quite fun.  Although it has been, at times, boring and has made me feel like quite the house-husband, it has been relaxing...on occasion.  However, it has also been pretty interesting...I have learned a lot and I hope to share a little list of things I have learned about vacations as a teaching dad/husband:

1. When children have explosive dirrehea it is hilarious...except when its your child...and they have poop that goes from their knee pits, to their arm pits...and on the carpet...and the inside of their sweatpants.  Again, when it happens to someone else it is hilarious, when it happens to you it makes your eyes water...not in regard to the moment you are sharing with your child...but because of the smell. 2. Daytime television sucks...mostly cartoons...wait, I think I have just been watching cartoons for the last 4 days...those kids are good. 3. I am still really, incredibly good at playing basketball on the 4 foot tall Playschool basketball hoop.  Do I feel bad that I am constantly defending the hoop and rejecting my two young children's shots like Dekembe Mutambo against middle school kids?  Sure, but I mean...not in my house. Don't bring that weak stuff to my living room.  They will only get better...until that time..."NO! (while I wag my finger Mutambo style).  4. My kids do not have the whole sleeping thing figured out...the later they go to sleep...the earlier they get up. They either really love spending time with me...or they hate me. Either or. 5. Laundry sucks. 6. There is a direct correlation between the crappiness of the weather and the ease in which you have putting kids into their carseats.  When it is cold, windy, snowing and miserable there will always be a buckle that won't go in or a child that decides they don't want to sit in their seat and he will become stiff as a board...makes you feel like you are going to win Parent of the Year Award. 7. When your wife works during your whole vacation...it gives you the opportunity to work out a lot.  Twice a day sometimes. It also gives you plenty of time to just eat...bored eating is a genuine problem. 8. I still don't like cats.

Now before I leave I will do my p90x ramblings. The exercises are going great...however the dieting is not fun. I am now 52 days in...only 38 days left. Also, there are only 51...almost 50 days left until I leave for Europe again. This time we are going to France and England...12 days.  Should be fun!  I am going to have to resist the urge to eat lots of bread...they eat a lot of bread there I think? 

Anyway,

I look forward to saying whatever I want on here. America.